Long Island Christmas Events, Parades & Tree Lightings 2014

Holiday Lights Spectacular
It’s back! After being nixed seven years ago, this 2.5-mile drive-thru seaside holiday tradition triumphantly returns with more than 150 lighted-displays, many of which are animated, synced to holiday music. It all culminates in a holiday village, where kids can have pictures taken with Santa Clause, visitors can make s’mores and revelers can hear carolers sing on select nights. Wednesday night is pet night for discounts and a chance to have a photo of Fido seated on Santa’s lap. Also debuting this year is the Hay Maze, which will take kids on a special journey through the sparkling lights display in the Holiday Village. There is also a Twofer Tuesday special—two trips for the price of one. Jones Beach State Park, West End, Ocean Pkwy. seetheholidaylights.com $20 per car weekdays, $25 weekends. Nov. 20-Jan. 4. dusk-10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., open til 11 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

Christmas Animated Story
Animated characters star in “Christmas at the North Pole,” a walk-through story telling how Santa picks out gifts for his friends who are penguins, elves and more. Donations of non-perishable food items for Long Island Cares accepted. Hicks Nursery, 100 Jericho Tpke., Westbury. Free. hicksnurseries.com 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through Dec. 24.

Barnaby Saves Christmas
The littlest elf and his reindeer friend, Franklynne, set off on their journey to save Christmas. Along the way, they meet some new friends along the way and learn the true meaning of Christmas, Hanukah and the holiday season. Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson. theatrethree.com $10. 11 a.m. Nov. 28 and various other days through Christmas weekend.

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? Refresh your memory with this live performance of the holiday classic. Studio Theatre Lindenhurst, 141 South Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst. broadhollow.org 1 p.m. Nov. 28 with various weekly performances through Christmas.

Mooseltoe
The story of a moose who wants to fly with Santa’s reindeer, learns some valuable life lessons along the way and saves Christmas amid trouble at the North Pole. Gateway Playhouse, 215 South Country Rd., Bellport. gatewayplayhouse.org $15-$25. 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Nov. 28.

A Christmas Story: The Musical
We double dog dare you to come see America’s favorite Christmas movie come to life on stage as a hilarious holiday musical. Expect masterful performances. Expect show-stopping songs. Expect to be wowed! John W. Engman Theate, 250 Main St., Northport. engemantheater.com $69. 3 p.m. Nov. 28 with performances through Jan. 4.

A Christmas Carol
Follow the miser Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey that teaches him the true meaning of Christmas—past, present and future—in almost twice daily performances of the Charles Dickens classic. Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson. theatrethree.com $15-$30. 8 p.m. Nov. 28 and most days through Christmas weekend.

Sayville Holiday Parade
Watch marchers, floats and wave to Santa at 9 a.m.! Afterwards, enroll the kids in Santa’s Workshop at the Carvel on Railroad Avenue. Return at 5 p.m. for Miracle on Main Street, a Christmas celebration that includes a tree lighting at 6 p.m., Santa, live reindeer, movies in the street, live performances, food, a gingerbread competition, snacks, fun and more! Main Street, Sayville. greatersayvillechamber.com/miracle_on_main.asp Free. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov 29.

Tree Lighting
The Northport Chorale will sing holiday favorites and Christmas carols, followed by the lighting of the tree and the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Check out the mansion’s holiday decorations at the same time! Vanderbilt Mansion Courtyard, 180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport. vanderbiltmuseum.org Free. 4 p.m. Nov. 29.

Village Tree and Menorah Lighting
The tradition of celebrating the holiday season begins with the lighting of our Christmas Tree and Menorah at Village Square. There will be entertainment at the Showmobile and keep a watchful eye out for Santa who will be arriving on his magical sleigh. Corner of Park Boulevard and Front Street, Massapequa Park. ci.massapequa-park.ny.us Free. 5 p.m. Nov. 29.

Holiday Parade and Street Festival
Long Island’s biggest electric light holiday parade and float contest, now in its fifth year, centers on the theme “’Tis the Season Across America.” Festivities will include a brief ceremony following a parade to simultaneously light the holiday tree on the Village Green and at Town Hall. Aside from musical performances, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, Snoopy, The Grinch, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Elmo and Toy Story’s Woody. Free hot chocolate and cookies. New York Avenue, Huntington. huntingtonny.gov Free. 7 p.m. Nov. 29.

Cherish The Ladies: A Celtic Christmas
One of the most engaging and successful ensembles in the history of Celtic music put their signature mark on classic carols, such as “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night.” Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton. guildhall.org $30-$55. 8 p.m. Nov. 29.

Frosty the Snowman
Join Jenny and Frosty on their chilly adventures as they try to save the town of Chillsville from the mean old Ethel Pierpot and her evil machine that will melt all the snow John W. Engman Theate, 250 Main St., Northport. engemantheater.com $15. 11 a.m. Nov. 29 with performances through Jan. 4.

Christmas at the Montauk Lighthouse
The first lighthouse ever built in New York State will be adorned with thousands of white lights for the holiday season. Montauk Lighthouse, 2000 Route 27, Montauk. montauklighthouse.com Free. 4:30-7 p.m. Nov. 29. Lights will remain on until New Years Day.

It’s a Wonderful Village
A Parade of Lights featuring decorated fire trucks marches down Windmill Lane to Agawam Par, where the annual tree lighting and caroling followed by a holiday reception on Nov. 29 that kicks off this month-long celebration with events every Saturday through Dec. 20. Hayrides at Scorpion Farms on Jobs Lane every weekend.
Southampton village. Full list of events here: southamptonchamber.com 12:30-5:15 p.m. Nov. 29, 12:30-4 p.m. Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 13 and 12:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 20.

Winter Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting
Photos with Santa, carriage rides, music and the lighting of the Christmas Tree will make the evening bright. Glen Cove Village Square. glencovedowntown.org Free. 1:30 p.m. Nov. 30.

Love Under the Christmas Tree
Giada Valenti will be performing a selection of the most beautiful American and Italian holiday favorites combined with her own rendition of hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s, as well as recent contemporary songs. The Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Center. madisontheatreny.org $45-$25. 3 p.m. Nov. 30.

I Am Santa Claus
Wrestling star Mick Foley will appear live in person to present I Am Santa Claus, a documentary that spent a year following the lives of six men who are professional Santas. Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. cinemaartscentre.org $10 members, $15 public. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2.

Big Duck Holiday Lighting Ceremony
It’s the most Long Island holiday tradition of them all when the region’s iconic 83-year-old historic landmark gets lit up in Christmas lights. Live entertainment including a duck carol sing-a-long led by the Riverhead Middle School Show Choir, a visit from LI Ducks Mascot “Quackerjack” and the arrival of Santa Claus. The Big Duck Store, Route 24 in Flanders, one mile East of the Riverhead Traffic Circle. bigduck.org Free. 7 p.m. Dec. 3

Deck the Halls
The Festival of Trees kicks off with the community coming together to decorate Brookwood Hall, a historic landmark that the Town of Islip is seeking to be designated as such. Brookwood Hall, 50 Irish Lane, East Islip. IslipArtsCouncil.org Free. 3-7 p.m. Dec. 4.

Christmas Tree Lighting
Oh, what a joyous celebration of the holiday season! What a wonderful way to share time with family and friends! What a magnificent opportunity to belt out all those fantastic carols you and your friends have been practicing for the past 12 months and show the city of Long Beach, and all those special revelers in attendance, just how great you truly are!! Kennedy Plaza, Long Beach. longbeachny.gov Free. 6 p.m. Dec. 5.

28th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Along with the lighting of the tree, traditional holiday music will be performed by the children of Oysterponds Elementary School. Santa Claus will arrive in his jubilant red sleigh and then light the live tree. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Orient Beach State Park, 40,000 Main Rd., Orient. nysparks.com/parks/106/details.aspx Free. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5.

19th Annual Dickens Festival
An annual Village celebration of the author of A Christmas Carol, features costumed characters, decorated streets and shops, Victorian entertainment and food. It kicks off with a festival of trees that includes ice-skating characters and giant snowmen at 7 p.m. Dec. 5, followed by a long list of caroling, performances and related events—even a gingerbread house contest before concluding in a Grand Final Parade! A full list of all programs can be found here portjeff.com/Dickens Mostly free. Dec. 5-7.

Clara’s Dream, The Nutcracker
Witness toys that come to life, a Christmas tree that grows, flowers that dance and snowflakes that waltz in this classic magical story, as performed by American Dance Theatre of Long Island. Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 East Main St., Patchogue. patchoguetheatre.com $15. 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 6, 1 p.m. Dec. 7.

Santa in the Park
Santa Claus will be arriving at the park in a fire truck and all children will have the opportunity to give him their holiday wish list! Toys, candy, cookies, and hot chocolate will be distributed by Santa’s elves. Wantagh Park, 1 King Rd., Wantagh. nassaucountyny.gov/parks Free. 12 p.m. Dec. 6.

Merry on Main
A holiday parade will step off from Brockwood Hall in East Islip and end at Islip Town Hall West 90 minutes later. At dusk, Santa will hold a tree lighting ceremony at Islip Town Hall, where there will also be photos with the big man, a craft fair, gingerbread competition and other entertainment. Main Street, Islip. theislips.com/brookwoodhall 2 p.m. Dec. 6.

Cinderella’s Christmas
The most famous Disney princess of them all rings in the holiday season. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $14.50.12 p.m. Dec. 6.

Bowling With Santa
Deck the lanes with bowling balls of holly. An elf parade at 5:15 p.m. precedes a tree lighting ceremony at village square at 5:30 p.m., followed by caroling and other holiday-related events. San Dee Lanes, 342 Hempstead Ave., Malverne. malvernevillage.org $10. 12, 2 p.m. Dec. 6.

Riverhead SantaCon
The annual worldwide Santa Claus convention that has taken on a life of its own comes to Long Island a week before the New York City installment. Holiday-related costumes required to participate in the pub crawl through downtown Riverhead. $10 per bracelet for discounts at participating pubs. santaconriverhead.com3 p.m. Dec. 6.

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony CANCELED DUE TO INCLIMATE WEATHER
Along with the lighting of the tree, there will be a host of traditional holiday music courtesy of the local school chorus, ice sculpting demonstration, magic show, balloon twisting, juggling act and a spectacular fireworks display. Also, a visit from Santa arriving on the Long Island Sleigh Express! Belmont Lake State Park, Exit 38 off of the Southern State Parkway. parks.ny.gov Free. 4:15 p.m. Dec. 6.

Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
Watch the glorious display of lights and surprises. Santa arrives by Antique Fire Truck. Join Santa at the gazebo on the Village Green for the Annual Tree Lighting. Main Street, Bellport Village. bellport.com 6:15 p.m. Dec. 6.

CC Claus: A Baseball Christmas Story
CC Sabathia, the pitcher for the New York Yankees, and his son, Carsten, will talk about the MLB star’s new holiday-themed children’s book, CC Claus: A Baseball Christmas Story. Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington. bookrevue.com Price of book. 7 p.m. Dec. 6.

Christmas Parade
The theme for this year’s parade, billed as the largest in Suffolk County, is a “Red, White and Blue Christmas.” It runs from the South Port Shopping Center down Montauk Highway and Mastic Road to the Mastic Fire House. 12 p.m. Dec. 7.

60th Village Tree Lighting
Will be followed by a ceremony. Corner of Hilton and Stewart avenues, Garden City. gardencityny.net Free. 3:30 p.m. Dec. 7.

Celtic Thunder Christmas Symphony
A dynamic live music experience, accompanied by a full Symphony Orchestra and favorite holiday songs from their latest CD Holiday Symphony. The music selection ranges from traditional carols “Away in A Manger,” “Silent Night” to classical pieces, holiday staples and the more contemporary “Fairytale of New York.” NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $49.50-$84.25. 7 p.m. Dec. 7.

Tree Lighting
Lit up will be the magnificent 35-foot Japanese Umbrella Pine, which is located on the south side of the Camellia Greenhouse. Afterward, see view the spectacular poinsettia display, hear the madrigal singers perform, visit Coe Hall decked with holly and meet Santa at the Hay Barn! Visit Periwinkles Café in the Visitor Center and enjoy egg nog, hot chocolate and cider, gingerbread men and other assorted holiday sweets.
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, Route 25A, Oyster Bay. plantingfields.org Free. 6 p.m. Dec. 12.

Holiday Chorus Concert Brass Ensemble
A community sing-a-long following performances by three choral groups, including Sings of Long Island, Bay Area Friends of Fine Arts and Choral Society of the Moriches, plus the Tri Valley Bass Ensemble. Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 East Main St., Patchogue. patchoguetheatre.com $9. 7 p.m. Dec. 12.

The Return of the Aimee Mann Christmas Show
Aimee Mann, Ted Leo and many special guests. The Space at Westbury, 250 Post Ave., Westbury. thespaceatwestbury.com $30-$45. 8 p.m. Dec. 12.

Sarah Conway
Sarah Conway and The Playful Souls put on their Revel in Your Spirits Christmas show features great collection of little known gems of Christmas songs from rock to country, blues and gospel. Special guests on sax and fiddle! The Stephen Talkhouse, 161 Main St., Amagansett. stephentalkhouse.com $10. 8 p.m. Dec. 12.

12th Annual Reenactment of the Flying Santa
Relive the days when Santa would visit the Fire Island Lighthouse keepers and their families by flying by in small plane. Fire Island Lighthouse, just east of Robert Moses State Park Field 5, Robert Moses Causeway, Babylon. nysparks.com/parks/7/details.aspx Free. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 13.

Gary Lewis and The Playboys
“Celebrating the Holidays Together” is the name of this show, during which they’ll play their hits, including “This Diamond Ring,” Count Me In” and “Save Your Heart for Me.”. Five Towns College Performing Arts Center, Five Towns College, 305 North Service Rd., Dix Hills. dhpac.org $40-$60. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13

A John Waters Christmas
The multi-talented comedian and actor puts his spin on the holidays. The Space at Westbury, 250 Post Ave., Westbury. thespaceatwestbury.com $35-$100. 8 p.m. Dec. 13.

The Nutcracker Ballet
This incredibly popular residency with Dancecore returns this year with two matinee and one evening performance. See the Gumdrops, Silver Angels, Candy Canes, Toys, Mice, and the Nutcracker himself dance in Clara’s dream to Tchaikovsky’s music inspired from cultures around the world. Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main St., West Hampton Beach. whbpac.org $15. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. Dec. 14.

The Nutcracker
New York Dance Theatre, under the direction of Frank Ohman, will present what’s billed as the largest Nutcracker on Long Island with added music, scenes and dances—the only one performed in the tradition of New York City Ballet’s legendary George Balanchine. John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hofstra University, 1000 Fulton Ave., Hempstead. ohmanballet.org $40 adults, $35 seniors and kids under 12. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 20, 21.